Morning AB! Forgot to spring forward. Santorum on MTP - asked about Gingrich staying in - Santorum says eventually it will work itself out. Santorum walking lightly around any calls for GIngrich to get out of the race. When asked about Romney - Santorum says the race is not a mathmetical formula (referring to the delegate count),...lots of dynamics involved. Brings up the fact that ROmney was instrumental in moving up dates of primary elections that were beneficial to his campaighn. Also brings up the fact that a lot of these delegates are uncommitted, the superdelegates.
Gregory brings up delegate map showing Rommey winning coasts and Santorum winning the heartland....Gregory asks how do you overcome the fact that Romney is winning big states needed in presidential election? Santorum points out Romney’s weaknesses in winning key states (like MI, OH) by much...his campaign (Santorum’s) has the grass roots momentum.
Gregory again asks Santorum about asking Newt to get out of the race.....Santorum responds he didn’t ask Gingrich to get in, he certainly won’t ask him to get out.
Gregory asks about economy - Santorum talks about jobs that can be created by building Keystone Pipeline, other places that obama continues to say no on drilling. Impact of energy alone is significant on economy....add on regulations, obama care,..... damage to economy can be lessened by immediately addressing these issues.
Gregory says it’s Repubs fault just like dem’s as far as energy costs. Santorum strongly disagrees. Talks about radical ideology of this administaraion that says we can drill in Brazil, but not in our own backyards.
Gregory asks about Santorum past record as Sen.... says weren’t your votes for “big govt”? Santorum says he never voted for increase in spending in any appropriations bill. Goes after Romney espcially over romneycare.
Gregory asks what is the issue that will hurt Romney’s campaign (guess, Gregory is trolling for opposition research for obama) Santorum says essentally romneycare = obamacare, also brings up climate change issues.
Gregory asks about influence of Santorum’s wife - santorum says his wife helps him keep things in perspective when it comes to what he says on the campaign trail.
If the economy adds about 208,000 jobs per month, which was the average monthly rate for the best year of job creation in the 2000s, then it will take until February 2020—8 years—to close the jobs gap. Given a more optimistic rate of 321,000 jobs per month, which was the average monthly rate for the best year of job creation in the 1990s, the economy will reach pre-recession employment levels by April 2016—not for another four years.
MTP - brings up story of 15 civilians killed in Afghanistan
McDonnell-(Gov, Virginia) it’s tragic, one incident like this affects the winning hearts and mind strategy. (I believe he has a daughter serving)
o’Malley - we look for steady calm leadershop in situations like this - obama has provided that calm steady leadership.
Gregory asks about unemployment numbers - - O’Mally says there is no important issue than unemployment - obama’s leadership has saved the day) foreclosures, car companies, jobs (Hallelujah and can I get an Amen?!)
MdDonnell - we’ve lost 864,000 jobs. We’ve added 5 Trillion to our budget and have an unemployment rate over 8%...not a good record. gas rates have doubled....can’t think of a single thing the administration has done (other than stimulus) to affect the economy. Romney is what we need!
Gregory asks about aboriton bill - McDonnell says it was one bill among thousands he signed/dealt with. Gregory asks were you wrong to sign this bill (regarding requiring ultrasounds).....McDonnell tries to explain this was about an informed consent requirement....lots of healthcare decisions require a consent.....really tries to avoid the focus on “social” issues.
Gregory still wants to talk about “war on women’s” issues, so he moves on to O’malley - O’Malley - says these cultural issues are sadly (I think he wiped away a tear or two /s), are crowding out the bigger issues involving our economy.